By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   The Madison County Sheriff’s Office and the Madison Police Department each received their Uniform Crime Reports for 2007.
   The Madison Police Department had a crime index of 271, with a 23.7 change from last year.
   The City of Madison had no murders in 2007. It had one murder in 2006.
   There were two forcible rapes in 2007, compared to three in 2006 in Madison.
   There were seven robberies in 2007, compared to six in 2006.
   A total of 41 aggravated assaults were reported in 2007, with only 22 in 2006. The aggravated assaults were the most since 2004, when 43 were reported.
Both police and the Sheriff’s Office reported a spike in assaults. Sheriff Pete Bucher said that the poor economy and unemployment rate might be what caused such a spike in the numbers.
   A total of 54 burglaries occurred in the City of Madison in 2007, compared to a total of 44 burglaries in 2006.
One-hundred-fifty-nine larcenies occurred in the City of Madison in 2007, compared to 139 larcenies the year before.
There were eight motor vehicle thefts in 2007, compared to four in 2006.
   The percentage of Uniform Crimes cleared was 25.5.
Police Chief Rick Davis said that, of all crimes, including domestic situations and drug arrests, a total of 54 or 55 percent were cleared.
   The Madison County Sheriff’s Office saw a -3.3 percent index change in the Uniform Crime Index. The total crime index for the Sheriff’s Office was listed at 500.
There were no murders for the Sheriff’s Office in 2007.
The Sheriff’s Office worked six forcible rapes in 2007, as well as three robberies, 137 burglaries, 207 larcenies and 23 motor vehicle thefts.
   Overall, the Sheriff’s Office saw a -4.2-crime rate change.
Detailing the Madison Police Department’s change in 2007 would be difficult, since there was a software glitch in 2006, according to Davis.

Florida Gator Attacks Seminole Residence           

   An uninvited guest – a Florida gator, recently visited Joe and Penny Worden of Whispering Pines. Billy and Mariam Stephens of Madison spotted the intruder as it sneaked across Pickle Lane onto the Wordens’ property.           
   Two professional alligator hunters were summoned from Taylor County and were eventually able to corner and subdue the reptile, which had crawled up under the Wordens’ antique sop.
   Many neighbors from Whispering Pines gathered to watch the exciting event. One of them said it was the most commotion that had been seen since Jimmy King killed his 100th armadillo.

Alfred Martin Named Madison County Citizen Of The Year

By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   City of Madison Fire Chief Alfred Martin was named the Madison County Citizen of the Year on April 25 during a keynote presentation that kicked off the weekend activities of the 2008 Four Freedoms Festival.  The award is sponsored by the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce and is presented annually to that citizen that reflects the character and characteristics that have come to define Madison County.
   The selection committee is comprised of five recent past winners, although one was unable to participate due to illness.  In the end, the selection was clear as the winner received universal approval from all involved.
   “Alfred Martin is very deserving of the award.  He represents all the best qualities, lives and works for the benefit of the community, and conducts himself in a manner that makes him the right choice for Citizen of the Year,” Jim Stanley noted. 
   Stanley, the County Emergency Management Director and City of Madison Commissioner, won the award in 2004.
Madison Citizens State Bank President Ray Griffin, who also presides over the Chamber of Commerce, presented the award to Martin, congratulating him for his exceptional contribution to the community.
   “This is an incredible honor,” Martin stated.  “It means so much to me, especially to be in the same company as the fine people that have received the honor in the past.”
   Staff writer Michael Curtis can be reached at michael@greenepublishing.com.

Coy Donaldson Announces Candidacy For County Commissioner, District 5

   I am proud to announce my candidacy for the District 5 County Commission seat, the Lee District.  My parents, Early and Fronie Donaldson, settled on the family farm southeast of Lee in the late thirties and raised a large family that many of you remember; Edward, Mary, Irene, C.T. (Thurston), Fred, Marshall, Howard and myself.  After graduating from Madison High School. I enlisted in the Navy serving in the Naval Security Group Command, and completed twenty years of service to my country in 1978.  Since then I have held the positions of Purchasing Manager for an electric cooperative, Product Manager in the private sector, and a City Manager for four Florida cities.  For several years now I have functioned as a Circuit Rider with the Florida Rural Association, assisting small communities throughout Florida with Security Assessments, Emergency Response Planning, Budget Development & Long Range Planning, Water & Sewer Rate Reviews, Capacity or Impact Fee Studies, plus providing Targeted Board Management Training for elected commissioners and council members. I have learned the functions of local government from the inside and the sum of all these experiences provide excellent qualifications for the position of County Commissioner.
   I am married to the former Maria Dolores Oquendo of Puerto Rico and some of you will recall seeing her smiling face at Revco Drugs when the Madison Square Shopping Center first opened in the early eighties as well as when she was Lunchroom Manager at Lee School.  We moved back to the old family farm about five years ago where I have my home office with the Florida Rural Water Association.   Like many of you, our family is scattered with Diana in Tallahassee, Caroline in Jacksonville, Craig here in Lee and Chris in Salt Lake City and my wife Maria, spends a lot time chasing those wonderful grandkids!
   Why do I want to be your County Commissioner?  Someone once wrote something about “Government For the People” and it seems that our government has forgotten about the “People” part.  I am motivated to help change that and once again provide you with a local government that you can have confidence in.  I have learned that it is difficult to make something happen from the sidelines and I do not believe that constant complaining represents responsible citizenship.  It seems to me that becoming involved is the way to make a difference.  These are challenging times. We have seen dramatic increases in property taxes, fuel costs are through the roof, food prices are very high, Land Use Regulations do not make sense, and the list goes on.  The challenges we face call out for effective leadership, good management, accountability, and a fiscal conservative approach with the peoples money.   I am up to the challenge of providing “Government For The People”, and, Together WE CAN do Better.  Your help and support will be gratefully appreciated.  Please contact me with your thoughts and concerns @ pitacoy@nettally.com, home phone: 850-971-5093.
   Political advertisement paid for and approved by Coy Donaldson, Democrat, for
County Commission District 5.

There’s A Bonanza Blowout Coming!

By Tyrra B Meserve
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   Madison residents are invited to join the Madison County Central School’s Bronco Cheerleaders in the media center of their school Monday, May 5 through Friday, May 9 for their Avon Mother’s Day Bonanza Blowout. All proceeds will go to benefit the Madison County Central School.
   Join the cheerleaders and help them raise proceeds for their school. Get the Mother’s Day shopping done early by getting her something that every woman can use or find a little something that says she’s special. The Bronco Cheerleaders and Avon wish all moms everywhere a Happy Mother’s Day.
   Staff writer Tyrra B Meserve can be reached at tyrra@greenepublishing.com